FanClub

Permanently CLOSED. Was a great place to go for live music and see band Brickhouse rock the place. Now the only place they play is a dump on Broadway called the Fairview Pub.

No more live music at The Fan club. So no more Fan Club for me.

are the rumours true? Is this place turning into a strip club?

Despite it’s name, FanClub is not a «club» even though it is located in the middle of the Granville DoucheBag District.
The crowd age range was very diverse. From late 20’s or early thirties all the way to 50’s and possibly higher. I don’t think I’ve seen such an age continuum in any «club» in the Douchebag District. Other than the people who worked here, I don’t think there were any 19 year olds in here at all.
No Affliction, no Ed Hardy, no TapOut, and no Christian Audigier clothing.
I quite enjoyed it here into a late Saturday. They have live music, and the band that played, performed a lot of cover songs from Michael Jackson and earlier to Robin Thicke. Quite well done.

This place is good for live Kareoke on Tuesdays and EDM clothed pole dancers on the weekend. Saturday I believe. The beer is decently priced and if you come here Saturday early, you can sometimes get in without having to pay cover. This is a great place for people that miss the old Yale hotel as there is live music here. This bar is two stories and the second story has a large balcony view of the first floor. The first floor is very spacious though, if the upstairs is closed. The bartenders are friendly and so are the hostess’. If you’ve ever been here for live Kareoke that is an experience! The band can play just about anything and all you have to do is sing! I remember during Holloween one year they dressed up as the power rangers and everyone was singing in front of them. It was a very memorable experience. Check out this bar during live Kareoke night or if you’re into a different sort of club experience, try out Saturdays. I’ve been here a few nights in between and they are alright too depending on the act.

I am definitely a fan now!
The main pros is that the crowd is more age-​appropriate (30s and above) and the live band is amazing!
The cons is that the dance floor is tiny and packed all night.
Oh, if you talk to the bouncer at the door, you can get free entry on the weekends for ladies.

If it wasn’t for the kick ass band that was playing the night I came here, this place would probably be worth 0.5 stars. My method is that I usually start at 5 stars and dock off half a star for every major bad thing that happens during my experience… so you could imagine how my night went!
First, we walk in and seat ourselves at a hightable that has the stage in perfect view. The ambience and the set up of the place has a lot of character, as a lot of Unilocalers are saying its a very «southern» kind of vibe and is very unique compared to the other bars and lounges on the Granville strip. I was disappointed when we requested to order beer on tap because they were apparently sold out of EVERYTHING… I’m sorry but WHAT? What kind of establishment opens their doors for business without any of their specials on tap? Sounded pretty ridiculous to me… so my friends and I got bottles for $ 5.25 each. We also ordered wings, which literally took 72 minutes to arrive at our table (Yes I timed it)…I’m sorry but WWWWHAT? over an hour to get our cold, flavourless wings. She warned us that the dry rub would be spicy, but WHERE WAS THE SPICE. Where was ANY flavour?! Cuz I couldn’t tell you! The server also failed to check up on us or apologize AT ALL. I was pretty angry to see that tables around us were receiving their orders so we did ask to see what the status was to remind her. We were pretty pissed when we saw SEVEN wings that were priced at $ 9. How ridiculous is that. Not even a pound. Never again will I order food here! I probably wouldn’t have been so frustrated if the server had at least apologized, but NOPE.
Sorry, but what would have been my generous tip just went down the drain.
All that aside, I quite enjoyed the band (Jaguar) who played along side Jonathan Muller — a musician/​Vocalist from Vancouver. This is the ONE AND ONLY thing that was good about my night at FanClub. It’s really too bad because this place has so much character and potential to be a number one music venue spot.

i can’t figure this place out; when I come in its often an hour or so before closing, and the atmosphere appears intimate– as in, everyone knows everyone.
I’m an outsider in a group, though the ‘group’ always changes (sometimes blues, sometimes a pub crawl event, etc).
There’s no place to duck for cover on the bar– the stools double as a coatcheck, holding seats while the dancers, dance.
Shame– looks like they have quite a range of beers on tap.
Bottled beer is overpriced– perhaps to make up for the ‘happy hour’ food specials (which I keep missing, despite trying to catch when walking around midafternoon)
The DJ is consistent– trying to appease the slightly older than middle age, with some Keisha thrown in to the remix.
I never see the upstairs open yet.

My friend chose Fan Club’s Atlantis Night Circus for her birthday since it was one of the few Dine Out events that looked unique and interesting. Unfortunately, the event didn’t quite live up to the expectations.
The entertainment was good although uneven. The actors were really in character: the female lead was fearless and sorta funny, while the male lead was goofy. The music, a mix of retro and island-​inspired tunes, was for the most part on point. I especially loved the guitar licks.
Some of the interactive entertainment was great as well: we were asked to write a love letter, and there were a few «tickets» that required us to talk to other people.
The food was the night’s downfall. My steak lacked salt – but even more disappointing, it was tough. The green salad was, well, a typical green salad. The dessert was the night’s best course, but that’s not really saying much.
That said, the service was pretty good. We never had to flag down our friendly server.
The best part of the night were the burlesque dancers and the acrobats. They really brought their A game and elevated the entertainment.
My one suggestion for Fan Club is to hone in on Night Circus’ theme. They should also improve the food. This place is on the right track. I would hate to see Night Circus turn into failure simply because the food lacked finesse, imagination or soul.

Poor management and customer service.
As soon as Dine Out was announced, I saw the Night Circus event and was excited. On Jan 6 I made a reservation request from their website (as they do not use OpenTable) for 2 people for the dinner & show on Feb 1. I received an email back from the owner asking clarification for show only, or dinner and show, and I responded saying dinner & show.
I knew the show started at 8, but was unsure of what time to be there for dinner, so about a week before the reservation date, I emailed to confirm what time to be there for dinner. A few days later, 3 days before our scheduled reservation, I was told sorry, they were sold out.
I made the reservation over 3 weeks before the event! It’s ridiculous that even after receiving confirmation of it, they completely dropped the ball. Fail.
Have never been here before, but will not be spending my money here.

I was here yesterday for the Atlantis Unilocal event. They went all out, the experience was well crafted and extremely enjoyable. The performers were engaging and very energetic. The food/​service was «meh». I heard some of the employees talking near the bar and they didnt seem to be enjoying themselves, which (given how loudly they were talking) is the only reason I’m not giving 5 stars. I will certainly be going here again. Absolutely worth the time!

I’ve been here a few times in the year for both private parties and just ’cause and all the times I’ve found the staff to be amazing, food is good (not amazing, but good), atmosphere is awesome and classic with character. Lighting is dark, however, serves a characteristic purpose. It’s a very versatile space. Great entertainment while having food and drink.

This place is the gem of granville street — my diamond in a rough strip of noisy clubs with people who I probably babysat at some point.
Seriously though, before you start thinking as you read this that I’m snobby and have a gripe against all the other joints on the granville strip, let me clarify — I like a good joint — a place where I can have a drink with a friend, listen to good music without feeling like I need to shout over it, and do some good people watching; you’ll never catch me in a club.
The Fan Club, despite it’s name, is no club — or rather, not the way you’re thinking with the boppin’ beats and cheesy looking DJ. It’s a venue that pays obvious respect to musicians, with a center stage that you can see from pretty much every seat in the place. The homage to New Orleans french quarter architecture, with the wrought iron balconies overlooking the stage make it absolutely perfect for those of us who like to sit back and watch the band, and the people bustling about (or are too short to see over everyone else when standing — like yours truly).
Their bar is accessible by nearly 360 degrees, being that it’s in the center — that to me means a lot more access to getting served, which can only be a good thing (compared to a straight line bar). The drinks are good, the servers are friendly, there’s food to be eaten, and even the upstairs has its own little bar.
This place would be amazing for a jazz and swing band — it’s just got that sexy vibe that makes me want to pretend I’m in the 40’s or 50’s with Frank Sinatra crooning to me in a supper club.
So, moral of the story is: instead of walking by this place and assuming it’s your typical under-​age dance club, know that when you step inside you’re not walking into a club, you’re walking into a place that genuinely feels like it’s trying to transport you somewhere outside of your typical Vancouver day and give you a taste of the good life.

This review is for the SPACE only:
I am REALLY quite impressed with how versatile the space is.
There are so many things this place does RIGHT.
–Nice large central space for crowds/​dancing
–Multiple levels (2)
–A bar on each floor
–Multiple sound boards and proper lighting equipment
–Properly located stage– large enough for various acts
–A DJ booth (albeit a tad small) (And a mezzanine that could double as a really excellent DJ booth)
–Large windows to see stuff outside but not large enough to feel exposed to the street
–Versatile options with hanging equipment
–NO obstructed views– What I like about venues is when you can see the entire room from almost any vantage point. It makes any entertainment for the evening (even if it’s just people-​watching) THAT much more enjoyable.
Really really great physical space– I hope the programming, food and drinks are good.

LIKES: live band, big space
DISLIKES: not my style… yet
[Background]
Went here with a couple of girlfriends in November 2013 on a random Saturday night, past 11 p.m.
[Atmosphere]
As what’s already been mentioned, it had a very New Orleans vibe. There wasn’t a line-​up when we came, paid for cover for $ 10 and $ 5 for coat check.
It was a very spacious place with high ceiling and a second floor. Because it was late November when I went, I felt as if I had intruded into the annual Shoppers Drug Mart Christmas Party, an ugly sweater party for a local office who wanted to kick it up a notch this year and Aunt Sally’s 41^st. Those three specifically.
Who cares? People were having a blast. A BLAST, I say!
They had a live band. It was Beatles cover night… and it was so cute and retro!
This place is perfect if you are over 35. Just perfect… you won’t feel uncomfortable! Not that I did, but thought I should mention the demographic anyway.
[Service]
The server was so friendly and approachable. She checked up on us twice, even when I asked for water after, she was really nice. Not pretentious at all.
[Verdict]
I probably won’t be returning anytime soon, but I do recommend to a cool older crowd and live music lovers. Like my boss… who is very cool!

Came in to try out the monday night live band karaōke. Great venue layout! We had the chicken poutine and it was delicious. Good thing we opted to share as the portion was huge! Great attentive staff, decent priced beer and selection. It was lots of fun and I will return, but bundle up! They open the front doors and everyone around us was complaining about the cold and two tables ordered tea just to warm up. (me too!) you shouldn’t need gloves indoors!

Despite passing this place a few times a week, I had never been inside until I attended a recent Unilocal Elite event as a +1. Wow! How surprised was I when I walked inside? I felt like I had been transported to Louisiana. The layout and décor set a great vibe — there was a big bar downstairs, a bar tucked away in a corner, another bar upstairs, and a variety of seating areas to suit your mood: cozy booths, stools, a well-​lit section and more seductively-​lit sections of tables.
The piano player for event was fantastic, and did a great job setting the mood for the night. The drinks (a beer from 49^th Parallel, craft cocktails with Tito’s vodka and a 21-​year old rum from Red Rum) were delicious and flowing. The snacks were good, too — veggie skewers, prawn ‘corn dogs’, and sliders.
A great ambiance and a great event. I will definitely be back and bringing friends!

This was a very surprising venue to attend, for the look of the place I’m liking what I see. Was here for a networking event for the Vancouver Board of Trade and didn’t know what to expect, what is this place, it’s got a funky name, it can’t be too bad as they are throwing it here. Decided to bring another ‘Yelp’er’ with me (Mark H.) which seemed to have known a little about the venue while we were walking to it. He said it has a ‘Southern’ flare to it, something to make it looks New Orleans like, and when we walked in the place just woke me up. Surprising as it was, with the very high ceilings, being on Granville I’m used to low ceilings, tight and cramped spaces, nothing like this.
The first thing I noticed was the colorful back-​lighting of this place, if you look at the walls, you will see greens and reds and yellows, nothing tacky, but it adds to the ambience of the joint. There’s an elevated stage after you walk through the front, it’s a two level establishment with multiple bars, with the main bar being up in the front that juts out, and wraps around covering 180 degrees. If you tilt your head up, there’s an amazing looking ceiling fan that is rotating above. With the swanky small tables near the stage, to the side seating going along the bar, to the side of this place, there’s a spot for everyone here, and then there is upstairs, which I didn’t walk up, but how it it set up, it’s perching above the stage area, not too big, but not too small, and able to see who is on stage at that time.
The servers were working wonders on trying to get enough food out to the people at the event. The place is not small, so they were on their feet, feeding us brie on flatbread, pulled pork sliders, spicy chorizo on a stick, and even macaroni and cheese on a stick. It was hard on the servers to maneuver through the crowds of people and it seems like the front wasn’t able to get food, but that maybe because of some people up front getting seconds (or thirds). I am now wondering how this place is on a regular live music night, but it’s definitely pretty looking, and feeling, from the very high ceilings. There is a number of tv’s here to, so you can catch whatever sports games are playing while you pound back the booze. This venue offers a variety of things, from music, to dance, to special events, I know I’ll be back, but for now, another cool venue on Granville, with a great feel.

²⁄₁₀₀
NYE. 3 clubs and this place was easily the best. Got here early and was lucky to have a seat. Ordered the burger and it kinda fell apart on me. The chips were good but SPICY… fair warning! Everyone seemed to be having a good time and no one was shy to dance. The crowd was mostly older and white. Hey, I am just being honest. It was a live band tonight and this place was the most lively place on the block. If anyone read my last review then you know I already have a crush on the doorman who was a gentleman as always! (Dylan). All the staff was great as usual. cannot wait to bring my friend by! Looking at the schedule it appears they have stopped with the DJ and are sticking with the live bands in the up coming new year.

Vancouver Fan Club has a New Orleans kind of vibe. The palatial ceilings heights, the dark stained wooden paneling, and the custom wrought iron railings definitely transport you far south of the border.
We went for dinner and drinks but stayed to enjoy the live band. They had ¾ of the place on the dance floor by the end of the night. Unfortunately they finished their set around ten and were replace by a DJ. When we paid the bill I noticed an opinion card was included poling customers as to whether they preferred live or electronic music. Last night customers voted with their feet when they walked off the dance floor after the live music stopped and didn’t return when the DJ started playing his tunes. I would conclude that the live music is the preferred option.
The food we ordered was better than average for pub vittles. However, I did feel that there was way too much garlic in a few of the dishes we tried. Namely the smoked artichoke dip and guacamole. I had no fear of vampires on my way home. The salsa was excellent. It was clearly homemade, there was a nice mix of textures and the perfect amount of spice. I also ordered wine on tap for the first time in my life. I tried two different selections of the white and both were surprisingly good.
After all is said and done we all had a really good time and that is what counts.